All These Miniature Men

“Holes! Holes!” the watchman exclaimed, eyes bulging with anxiety. Villagers had apparently been quite busy making their own entryways in the compound fenceline. Breaking in at strategic locations, they'd been able to hide their evidence for several days while sneaking onto the property for nightly “surveys.” 

Time to do a little surveying of our own, I thought. Hoping not to draw too much attention, Mark and I went out at sunset to study the compound’s perimeter. 

It was at the edge of the soccer field where we discovered the first “hole” – a man-sized cut-out in the wire fencing.  Frustration set in as I pondered this added issue. Seriously, are we not giving enough already? Clinic services, free schooling, feeding program, deep-water well, evangelistic outreach…. Now people are cutting our fence so they can sneak in and see what else they can take from us? What an ungrateful -

Out of nowhere, a tiny voice was heard informing its friend, “There’s a yellow person there!”

My eyes shifted from the fence to the surrounding area, trying to see where the voice had come from. Bobbing heads appeared from behind the brush fencing of our neighboring village. Having caught my attention, more voices suddenly chimed in. “Yellow person! Yellow person!” Then one, recognizing us, cried above the rest, “Nadera! Maalim!” (Darah! Teacher! [that is, Mark])

Mark and I chuckled as the munchkins emerged from behind the brush wall and ran full tilt towards us. Two little girls with beads clattering around their necks stopped abruptly in front of Mark. Extending their arms to him, they asked, “Teacher, how are you?” Mark’s giant hand enveloped theirs as he stooped to greet them.

A taller boy of about 8 years strutted into our midst, obviously the leader of the pack. “Ah,” Mark whispered to me, “it’s Lochin’s younger brother.” A sweet-faced child with gentle features and a leader’s confidence stood before me. Soft enough to be a girl, I thought, but he walks with the air of a miniature man!

Lochin’s brother, “Grass,” led the troop in following our every footstep around the compound’s immense perimeter. His bubbly voice chattered away, as though he were giving the children a grand tour of the place.

After a while, Mark and I stopped to examine another man-sized hole in the fence. The children stood just behind our examining eyes. “Hoiti-koi!” they repeated in astonished tones. When Mark drew a tool from his pocket to make repairs, the wind dismissed their hoiti-kois and picked up their delighted wheys.

On to the next hole we marched. Our company was growing. Two boys of about four years each had appeared on the scene. I wondered if they were twins. Gapped teeth shone from their timid grins as they begged entrance to our curious group. These two stood at the back, eyes wide with wonder as we made a spectacle of ourselves looking over the fence. As we walked ahead, I heard the soft shuffling of their feet in the dry weeds underfoot. And my heart melted at the occasional whisper from their lips.

Nakedness clothed the tiny frames of these youngsters. Frames outlined in the pale dirt of Eastern Equatoria. How I would love to introduce bubble baths and rubber duckies to these little ones, I thought. But then, I could only imagine the fear which would likely plague them at the sight and sound of a rubber duckie. A strangely textured, brightly colored bird which makes noise but is apparently dead? And you want to put that in a tub of water with me?! …Hmmm, maybe not such a great idea. Glancing back at the growing number of miniature men, a sobering memory came to mind.

“How many men in the village drink local liquor (moonshine)?” I’d asked one of our strongest Believers a year before.

Lopua thought deeply before responding, “Ten out of ten.”

“Can that be true?!”

“Of course,” the other young men agreed. “We can’t think of any Toposa men in our villages who aren’t drunkards. All of our fathers, our uncles, our elder brothers and cousins…even our mothers.”

With such a memory, my thoughts of bubble baths and rubber duckies seemed sheer foolishness. How easy in a place like this to be caught in the ‘humanitarian mindset.’ Shower on the temporal basics. Sprinkle in a few material luxuries. Neglect the spiritual battle within. No lasting good can ever be accomplished with such a scheme.

I watched Mark’s knife come out again. He worked carefully to cut away the thorn branches which would have engulfed my scattered brain. The kids stopped their scampering to observe.

“Why is he doing that?” one of the girls asked Grass.

“Just watch,” he said. “The teacher is cutting thorns so his woman can walk.”

We were at the far corner of the perimeter by then. Mark and I laughed to see the kids running on ahead. They obviously wanted to beat us to the next section of fence.

“Another! Another!” Grass soon exclaimed, the other children echoing his chant.

Mark stepped around the brush to see where our friends had gone. I took my time navigating the path.

To think, by the year we’re celebrating our first grandchild, these kids may not even be alive! Any who have survived that long will be ‘walking dead’ addicts of the local brew. Skin stretching thin across their arching backs. Blindness overtaking their sight by the strength of ‘ngagie.’ Old men singing night and day about their mothers and favorite bulls. …Is this the life ahead of these children? Am I looking at the future alcoholics of Toposaland?

Grass lifted his voice again. “Maalim!” he cried. “Look, look!”

I heard a hush come over the group as Mark pulled another tool from his pocket and went to work. This was the greatest entertainment those kids had had all week. Helping the foreigners survey the fortress.

My thoughts turned swiftly to two other ‘youngsters’ who had long been a help to us on the compound – Lorot (Path) and Lopua (Dust). The transformation Christ wrought in their lives was so encouraging to recall. Unlike their peers and countless influences in the village, these two had not become addicts of the strong drink. They’d become addicts of the Word. To have seen them standing in faith during the past four years was a miracle too great to tell. …Could THIS be the life ahead of these children? Am I looking at Christ’s future ambassadors to Toposaland?

 “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.

Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God,

obeying His voice, and holding to Him, for He is your life and length of days….”

Deuteronomy 30:19, 20

“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ 
whom You have sent.”

John 17:3

May God raise up for Himself a generation in this land which has experienced a pleasure far greater than the temporary drowning of fears and discontentment. May He call out a people who have experienced the Spirit’s life-giving joy and are clinging with sobriety to an eternal hope!

In Christ,
Mark Philip & Darah Olayo

If you would like to invest in this ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

Swinging to the Rhythm of His Hum

The bump sprang up from nowhere, joining its countless companions on the road. One of my left feet just had to catch it. What a klutz I am! Mark’s hand came out to rescue me yet again. And this time, he didn’t let go. My hand swung back and forth to the rhythm of his hum as we continued with the boys on our journey home. 

A dusty road stretched before us. Few people were in view and very little moved, save two young calves and ourselves. Finally, Mark’s voice broke the stillness. “I love you, wife!” he declared in Toposa, smiling down at me.

Lopua and Lorot’s ears perked up. They glanced curiously at this ekapolon (“boss man”) who had no shame in proclaiming his love for a woman, even in front of other men. Lopua grinned and shook his head, grabbing Mark’s other hand (perfectly acceptable in the culture). 

“Hai, Olayo!” he exclaimed, clicking his tongue. “You really love your woman!”

“He that gets a wife gets a good thing,” he smiled at the boys. “And Darah isn’t just my wife; she’s the best of my friends.” He looked down and winked at me. Then, noticing my purse was becoming heavy on my shoulder, he quietly slipped it off and put it on his own.

“Whey!” Lorot said, shaking his head and chuckling. “Olayo!”

A proud blush stole across my face as I watched the boys gawking at the man by my side. Talk about culture shock. A Toposa husband would sooner take a burden from his own shoulders and put it on his wife’s than to even think of trying to relieve her burden.

“My husband is a real man,” I said, using a Toposa phrase to emphasize true manhood. “He doesn’t listen to what his culture says when it comes to loving his wife. He listens to what God says.”

The boys nodded their heads, pensive expressions taking the place of their grins.

“And how does God tell us to love our wives?” Mark asked the single men.

Silence. They observed the passing ground beneath them while pondering the question. 

After a moment, Lopua returned his gaze with confidence. “Ephesians 5, Marko. God says you must love your wife as Christ loves the Church.”

Mark squeezed the boy’s hand in affirmation. “And that’s a job NO man can do without God’s help,” he smiled. “Obeying it will keep us in prayer for the rest of our lives, my friend. And it will keep you growing closer to the One you’re trying to be like. This makes God VERY happy.”

Dear Mr. Olayo,

This makes your wife very happy, too. :-)

Happy Birthday, Hoss!!

3,000 Books & A Giant Cavern

Christmas was characterized by a great uncertainty for us. Where would we live? How long would we be there? Should we unpack our things? What would we do with our time? Our prayers for a home and work were answered in a form entirely different than we expected…or could have possibly dreamed.

Kevin & Summer Sneed (directors of East Africa Bible College and SUCH a wonderful couple!),
Abby Sneed, "Uncle Mark," myself & Mariko (a Japanese guest)
 - Sorry for the blur! :( 

January 1^st found us welcomed into the missionary guesthouse at East Africa Bible College in Eldoret, Kenya. Our eyes were amazed as we beheld a home larger than anything we’d imagined. Four whole bedrooms, large living room, small kitchen, and indoor restroom! It became a sort of game for me - trying to spread our closet-full of belongings throughout the big cavern. 

That first night we just laughed over the crazy turn of events. What in the world would we do with so much space? We hadn’t a clue at the time, so we asked God to make us sensitive to His plan and to guard us against wasting whatever time He allowed us to stay. This continued as our prayer throughout both January and February. ...How faithful God has been to answer it!

We’ve been blessed to have guests in our home nearly every day since the move - hosting students, old friends, a Japanese visitor, and even two of our boys from South Sudan. :-) The latter, Lopua and Lorot, came down from Kapoeta in mid-January to attend school. Our hearts leapt to see them – familiar faces, laughter, and language. What a joyous celebration!

Lorot and Lopua enjoy a lake view one Sunday afternoon

Having the boys right next door has opened up a door of ministry for which Mark and I have long been praying. One-on-one time and opportunities for true mentorship became ours when Lopua and Lorot started showing up on our doorstep every day. Experiencing a lot of culture shock and making so many adjustments, they were more eager than ever to have our insight and prayers. By having them in our home so frequently, God has allowed Mark and I to witness to them in a more personal way – the boys seeing firsthand our successes and our downfalls, our strengths and our weaknesses, and above all, we pray, the enduring faith and hope we have in Christ.

"We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the 

gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." 

(I Thessalonians 2:7,8)

The last seven weeks have been busy with various duties, the biggest being the library project. Last week, Mark and I finally completed a digital stock record of each book in the Oxley Library at EABC – almost 3,000 in number! We thoroughly enjoyed this work for the school, discovering SO many wonderful titles and filling our late evenings with heavy reading. In addition to this, Mark led a small English class – teaching and reviewing the language basics, while also getting the opportunity to build relationships with four internationals at the college. And together, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed facilitating small Bible studies and learning to invest more of ourselves in the personal lives of those around us.

Mark with the English class at EABC

As this season comes to a close, we are filled to the brim with thanksgiving. It would seem that each month bring us to the fresh conclusion that “NEVER have we realized God’s sovereignty like we have THIS month!” We’re rejoicing in His control, even as we make plans to leave "the cavern" and return to South Sudan next week. 

We're endlessly grateful for your prayers, encouragement, and support!

In Christ,
Mark Philip & Darah Olayo

If you would like to send support to this ministry, you can do so by clicking here.  

To the Bush & Back

“That car drinks water like a person! Every day, every day…even it’s needing food. Maybe you feed it and it becomes strong again. Now it’s just jumping like a frog. What is wrong?!! Everywhere jumping, jumping like a frog!” Douno laughs and points at the broken-down vehicle passing through town.

We sure missed these boys....  Happy was the day when Mr. Olayo and I found ourselves crossing the border once again, entering our beloved Toposaland. Having seen God’s faithfulness in answering so many prayers, we were ready and eager to return.

Aerial view of Kapoeta town

Arriving in South Sudan was a surreal experience – getting to revisit all the places where God had manifested His grace during our last term. We rejoiced together and felt strengthened to see His hand still at work. The boys were busy in the church – Lopua and Lorot looking more comfortable than ever in leading services and sharing Stories with the congregation. Speaking with them in private, we could see their progressing maturity in the faith. What a wonder of the Spirit in a land where cultural pressures and ties can so easily crumple even a grown man’s resolve to be different!

One of the most wonderful and anticipated experiences for us was to be able to share a new testimony with the boys.  Mark and I having both been good friends with them, it was an incredible joy to return and find them all eager to hear the full story of our courtship and marriage. 

“When will you share with us and show pictures?!” they asked us multiple times in the first day. 

“Tomorrow morning,” we told them, “so gather everyone who wants to hear.”

 The following morning a group had gathered in front of the boys’ dormitory. A time of laughter and fun ensued, as Mark and I took turns testifying of the Spirit’s work over the past several months. Then the time for photos came. “Whey! Whey!” echoed through the crowd as their faces lit in delight over the wonder of it all. “Mariko! Ang’atun! Ekile!” (Mark! Lion! Man!) “Dera! Nakaato! Aberu ka Mariko!” (Darah! Sister! Wife of Mark!) they exclaimed again and again.

“What about video?! Do you have wedding video?!” their excitement was growing. So was ours. Having witnessed countless tribal weddings in their lifetimes, this was their first time seeing two Believers wedded in Africa. They watched as the pastor encouraged us from Scripture; they sang along with our wedding guests during the worship time; they watched intently as Mark and I knelt on the ground and were prayed over by mentors, pastors, and close friends; and they clapped in delight to see everyone break out dancing in the end, with voices ringing a cappella praise in the background. “Again, again!” they pleaded when the wedding ended.

The next day we awoke to news that there had been an attempted coup in Juba. Kapoeta town had shut down, and for three days we were without ready access to groceries and supplies. But we waited, being sure it would pass. When town opened again, we felt the situation must be improving in the capital. Mark continued investing in the young men, each day going out for several hours to visit with them and sow into their lives with Bible Stories and truths. Meanwhile, I focused on administrative issues – meeting with the watchman and the new pastor, spending time with the kids, and adjusting to the new role of wife and homemaker (which I am LOVING!). 

With the uncertainty of the political situation, tensions began to rise. Four days after the eruption in Juba, we lost phone service and were unable to call out for three days. This, coupled with other factors, led us to pray more about the possibility of leaving. Taxis to the border were becoming few, but Mark managed to find one that would take us out on Christmas Eve. With everything on the compound set for a Christmas Day celebration, we exchanged farewells, the boys and ourselves committing to keep each other in prayer.

Civilians seek refuge at U.N. headquarters in Juba.
http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2013/12/17/3169999/gunfire-in-s-sudan-as-military.html

Eldoret, Kenya (Mark's home place) came back in view on the night of December 26th. Here, we will be picking up where we left off in ministry – working with indigenous missionaries, helping teach Good News Clubs as well as looking for more counseling opportunities with young people when schools open up, mentoring some young adults, and serving in the local church.

Please keep us in your prayers as we strive to walk in obedience and as we seek God’s further direction from Kenya. We are so, SO grateful for all your prayers, support, and encouragement! 

In Christ,

Mark Philip & Darah Olayo

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If you feel led to send financial support towards the work here, you’ll find our account information in the top right corner of this blog page. Checks can be made payable to: World Missions Ministries, with “Darah Tickle, Account #90380S” written on the memo line. We’re sincerely grateful for any support you might send!

The Team Wraps Up

One of the joys we had in the last couple of months was the addition of two team members, Latoya and Ethan McClerkin, wife and son of our senior missionary, Greg.

After the first week or two of settling in, Latoya began a Children’s Church program on Sunday mornings. This gave the village kids something special to look forward to and made it much easier for the adults to focus on the Sunday Story. Latoya also took my place in teaching the women’s devotions in order to free up more time for me in other projects. We were so grateful for her help and presence on the compound, and we so enjoyed her company along with little Ethan’s. It certainly added a new element of fun to have such a lively baby around. We were continually amazed at all the new things he did…and all the new things he got into. :)

Greg worked hard to complete six building projects in his five-month stay. He was also involved in the church ministry, being an active prayer warrior and taking the boys choir on two ministry trips. Greg was a tremendous blessing to all of us in his role as an overseer the last few months, being the "go-to man" when difficult issues would arise which necessitated additional counsel and instruction.  

Jeremy was such a blessing in his faithfulness to teach the Word over the past four and a half months. He showed tremendous zeal in teaching a Christian Religious Education class to the older school boys. And he put so much time and energy into both weeknight and Sunday morning Stories. His Biblical Manhood class wrapped up early this month with the Story of the greatest warrior - Christ Himself. The boys really got into this Story, helping act out the parts of Jesus’ disciples and being challenged at the end to choose for themselves between the Warrior’s Path, leading to closer fellowship with God, or another path leading away from Him.

My days were filled with Story song recordings, as well as continued language learning, administrative responsibilities, relationship building, and Stories and devotions in-between. 

One of our greatest joys in the last month was the sight of some of the older boys sitting under trees or on porches around the compound, reading their Bibles in the afternoons. My heart also rejoiced to see more spiritual growth in three of our Turkana teachers. What a blessing to see the Holy Spirit at work, despite the many obstacles faced in communicating Truth to such a confused and syncretistic culture.

Jeremy and I both arrived back in the States on Thursday, August 23rd. After resting up and meeting with some dear friends and supporters, we are now eagerly seeking God's will for our individual lives in the days ahead. 

Please pray for Jeremy as he considers an opportunity to do more missions work overseas while continuing his studies towards a Masters in Theology. 

I would certainly appreciate your continued prayers as I hunt for a full-time job here in Greenville, South Carolina. I am looking forward to getting settled once again and plunging back into a local ministry with internationals as soon as possible. 

Meanwhile, my heart is rejoicing at God's sweet providence in my personal life over the last several months. Praying for His continued leading in a relationship which He has brought about and is blessing so richly. How I praise Him for sending a man - a missionary in East Africa - into my life who exemplifies Christ's love so beautifully and who shares my passion for serving God in overseas missions. We anticipate the time when, Lord willing, we can serve Him together on the foreign field. 

The McClerkins are now in Kenya and will soon be returning to South Africa, with Greg journeying back to Sudan again after a break with his family. We are praying for God’s continued grace and provision for the locals and for all those who minister to the Toposa people in the months and years to come. May their lives (and ours) ever bear fruit for His name!

Lonya (yellow shirt) sharing in a church service. 

Henry, one of our Turkana teachers, stands by his side to interpret. 

Lonya and Lopua  (pictured three photos up, wearing a green & white striped shirt) 

will be sharing leadership responsibilities in the church over the next few months.

Follow this link to a brief slideshow: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckyyLvFXwQE&feature=youtu.be

The Hills Are Alive

With the discovery of plastic flutes in town, the boys have found a new favorite source of entertainment on the compound. Our ears now wake each morning to the sound of roosters crowing and flutes playing. And they fall asleep each night to the sound of a cricket’s chirp and a flute’s unending flight. These days are filled with the sound of music.

In addition to flutes, our boys enjoying playing the “shaker,” the jerry can, and the tambourine while singing and whistling their favorite melodies throughout the day. Surrounded by so many tunes of late only refreshes my thoughts of writing a children’s book on this place. The only appropriate title? “Ghost White and the Merry Tribesmen.” Starring none other than our own merry tribesmen: Star, Dust, Dog, Tree, Feather, Goat, Sitting Fox, and the lot. Maybe one day…. :)

For the time being, my project is to record, edit, convert, format, and transfer their happy songs. Sounds a bit robotic, eh? It is. But with a good cup of Kenyan coffee, it’s really not a bad chore at all. :) And to hear the final product – our boys singing and playing their hearts out on “radio”, as they say, is certainly worth the effort. We look forward to sharing these recordings with other Toposa Believers in Kapoeta town and to including them one day on oral Bible devices which can be distributed in many surrounding villages. Each song, you see, tells part of the Story.

Last month, we had a special opportunity to share this Story in a distant village. Some local Believers in Kapoeta invited us to accompany them on their ‘missions trip’ to Natchukut.  Jeremy and I were eager to accept, going with these Believers and several of our own boys on a 2-hour walk to reach ‘base.’ After praying together and receiving instruction from the group leader, we were divided into four small teams led by three young men (Toposas) and their Turkana mentor. Then we scattered. Going in four different directions, we were each told to minister in at least two villages before returning. 

 A young man named Anjelo led our team. Arriving in the first village, he walked directly to the “elder” present and asked permission for our sharing of God’s Word. Soon, the villagers began streaming from their huts, gathering in a semicircle around us. Our sweet Nakurio led in a song, then Anjelo began telling the story of Nicodemus. The people listened attentively, with more being added to their numbers as the story turned into his own personal testimony. My heart was overflowing with joy as I saw the passion and zeal of this young Toposa man. At the end, I was given the opportunity to pray over the group and then to pray with some individuals who came forward.
 

Our group was late coming back to ‘base’. Anjelo was so fired up that he determined to take us to three villages instead of two. We were so excited to see the Spirit working that we were ready for whatever adventure He might have had for us.
 

In one village, we listened to a woman share her own testimony after Anjelo finished his. This woman gave her life to Christ a couple years ago and has continued serving Him faithfully since. Her witness has been made strong in her village so that people are now coming to her to hear the Stories from God’s Word and to receive answers to their many questions about this God-man, Jesus.

After our teams came back together, we had a quick refreshment and time of prayer. Then the teams set out again, determining to go to at least one more village each before beginning the journey home. Unfortunately (or so I thought at the time), I’d become rather ill from the heat and was really not fit to continue with the others. I was asked instead to rest under a tree and wait for the others’ return. Though feeling frustrated with myself, I could hardly do otherwise. (Little did I know the beautiful gift God had in store!)
 

Two ladies sat across from me under that big shade tree. I’d been told they were Believers. Though I wanted to fellowship with them, I really didn’t feel like it. With a throbbing headache and sick stomach, the last thing I wanted to do was get myself into a deep mother tongue conversation. That’s why God sent help my way. Anjelo decided at the last minute to stay behind, along with our sweet Lopua. Two young men who inspire me by their love for the Lord and their excitement to share His Word.
 

“We will be your interpreters, if you’d like to share your heart and encourage these ladies in English,” they said. (Praise God for them!)
 

But first the ladies shared with me. Such beautiful testimonies of God’s grace and the Spirit’s continued work in their lives! I could feel my strength increasing as they spoke, our spirits somehow uniting in the joy we ALL felt at God’s miraculous power to forgive and change our hearts of stone.

When they had finished, the Lord brought a Story to my mind. There, under that big shade tree, Anjelo, Lopua, and I shared the story of Joshua and the Israelites as they crossed the Jordan River. With rocks and sticks, we illustrated the grand crossing and the miracle God performed on behalf of His people. But that miracle did not pave the way to an easy life. Many challenges would come to the Israelites as they followed God's leading into the land He had promised. And with each challenge would come a new opportunity to step out in faith, another chance to show the world that the God Who had saved them from bondage was ever worthy of their trust and confidence.

We prayed, thanking God for the miraculous works He had done (and was continuing to do) in our lives and asking Him to renew our strength as we faced trials. May He increase our faith in these times - that by our witness we might bring Him glory, leading those around us to trust His promises for themselves.

Before setting out on the journey home, all the team members gathered under the tree to pray and worship in thanksgiving once again and to share testimonies. We rejoiced together that four villagers (men!) had accepted Christ during the day and had afterwards been referred to other Believers in the area for discipleship.

How we praise God for that sweet time with our Brothers and Sisters in Natchukut!

Compound Abuzz

School is back in session. Laughter and games fill the compound during recess and the sound of group recitation and song during class periods. Teachers walk with long strides across the yard, their faces set with purpose no matter which direction they turn. In the clinic, Nurse Noeline sees patients from both town and village, coming from the Dinka, Didinga, Lotukul, Toposa, and Turkana tribes. Greg (senior missionary) is found on the job site, supervising and working alongside his crew as they construct a new missionary house. Jeremy (missionary intern) prepares for another class – one of the seven he teaches each week (plus a Sunday sermon). The compound is abuzz with activity. A busy midweek after a busy beginning.

Stopping to fix a puncture on the way to Narus
(Greg McClerkin, Senior Missionary and Yakobo Lonya, Choir Member)

This past Sunday, Greg took the Boys Choir to sing at a small church in Narus, S. Sudan. Our greatest dilemma in the trip was choosing which members could go, as the vehicle couldn’t hold all fourteen. But everyone remained in good spirits as we loaded them up and wished them a good two-hour journey. Pastor John from Riwoto accompanied the group as a guest speaker, and Mark Olayo (Kenyan missionary) went to lead the choir. Meanwhile, Jeremy and I, along with a core group, stayed behind to lead the compound service. What an incredible blessing it was to have boys remaining who could pick right up where the others left off. In the absence of so many helpers, we were not left helpless. Rather, it was a wonderful opportunity for the quieter boys to step up to the plate and exercise their gifts in the church – Musa and Isaya heading up worship, Lokine taking up offering, and Lopero leading in prayer.

Choir Singing in Narus, South Sudan

Weekday evenings have now been split into Story Testing sessions and classes on Biblical Manhood. It’s been a joy to have Jeremy Logan and Mark Olayo heading up a Story-based teaching on what it means to choose the path of a “Christian Warrior” (to be a “real man” for Christ). The young men with us have been responding very positively to the teaching, with “Christian Warrior” becoming a new key term among their ranks. We’re so grateful for the two young men (Jeremy and Mark) who have both taught and exemplified the Scriptural principles being drawn from the Stories.

On “my” nights, we gather to hear a new Story recorded by fellow Believers in the village of Peringa. After listening, we have a good time of questions and answers. The boys treat this as a fun sort of examination and listen very intently to the Stories in order to have both answers and questions of their own. Beginning with fact questions, such as “Who was the father of Joseph? And of Jacob?”, we build up their confidence for inference/testing questions (i.e. “Why do you think Jacob greeted Rachel and his uncle with a kiss? What would your family think if you greeted them with a kiss? How do you feel about Jacob after hearing of this greeting?”) and then to more challenging thoughts, such as “If you had been Esau in this Story, how would you have responded to Jacob’s deceit? To the deceit of your mother? How should we, as Believers in Jesus, respond when people deceive us?” The answers being given speak volumes to us both in regard to the boys’ growing maturity in the faith and to the people’s cultural processing of the Stories.

Language Study

We’ve been so blessed to see marked growth in several of the young men as a result of the Spirit doing His work through the Scripture. Small steps and large, we rejoice to see fruit – young men working harder than usual on Work Days, a boy volunteering to help slash grass with no thought of recompense for his labor, another boy showing an unusual degree of honesty by returning a small amount of change after making a purchase for us, one showing a strange act of kindness towards a mentally-handicapped kid on the compound, an older kid eagerly asking to share his testimony in the church, a group sitting around in the morning discussing Bible Stories and asking questions. On and on the list goes. How we rejoice at the sight of God’s graces!

“Now, O Lord, YOU are our Father.

We are the clay, YOU are our Potter.

We are all the work of Your hand.”

(Isaiah 64:8)

Please continue praying for the young men here, as well as one young lady in particular (Nakurio). May the Lord continue His work of molding in their lives, as He continues it also in ours.